The Best Gifts to Give an E-Book Reader

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Unless you're shopping from a wishlist, buying a book for a big reader is always a fraught prospect. Have they read it? Will they like it? Will they be offended at the mere suggestion that you think it's the kind of book they might like? Will you be crushed when you give them a copy of your favorite book and they never get around to reading it?

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Buying a gift for someone who prefers to read e-books—whether on a Kindle or one of the many excellent non-Kindle alternatives—can be much less emotionally charged: Instead of risking everything by giving them a book, just get them a cute e-reader accessory (if not a new e-reader) that they will thank you for every time they dive into a good read.

A truly pocketable travel e-reader: The Xteink X4 Pro

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Chances are good your giftee already owns a Kindle, but there's room for another e-reader in their life—especially when it's as small as the Xteink X4 Pro ($99). TikTok and Reddit are obsessed with this tiny, quirky device from a Chinese tech startup that has taken the e-reading world by storm over the past year, and it's not hard to see why: For under $100, you can get a palm-sized, single-purpose e-ink device that will disappear into any pocket, so you can truly take your books with you wherever you go. (Promotional images even show it magnetically attached to the back of a smartphone.)

While the first Xteink device could be clunky and cumbersome to use, the new X4 Pro has improved software and quality-of-life updates like a faster processor, more RAM, a touchscreen, and a front light. It isn't the ideal primary device for every reader, but as an ultra-portable alternative for reading on the go, it's hard to beat—though competitors have popped up to give it a go. Learn more about the device (and its potential drawbacks) in my full Xteink X4 Pro review.

Xteink X4 Pro 4.3-Inch E-Reader $99.00 at Amazon $109.00 Save $10.00 Shop Now Shop Now $99.00 at Amazon $109.00 Save $10.00

An e-reader that can curb any smartphone addiction: The Boox Palma 2 Pro

If you've got more to spend and want to give a potentially transformative gift, consider the Boox Palma 2 Pro ($399.99), part of the family of phone-shaped devices that kicked off the small e-reader craze (and helped me kick my own doomscrolling habit). It has a 6.13-inch color e-ink screen and runs on an open Android operating system, which means it can connect to the Google Play Store and run any reading app, from Kindle to Nook. That means your giftee will be able to read all of their existing e-books wherever they're from, and get new ones from anywhere. It can connect to the internet via a mobile SIM and works with a stylus, so it also makes a great productivity and note-taking device, but with a screen that's easier on the eyes, less stimulating, and subsequently, much less addictive than a smartphone. Learn more about it in my full Boox Palma 2 Pro review.

Boox Palma 2 Pro 6.13-Inch Color E-Reader $399.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $399.99 at Amazon

A remote page turner: The Boox Tappy

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Typically, to turn pages on an e-reader, you have to press a button on the side of the device or, more often, tap the screen—but there's a better way: Bluetooth page turners connect to an e-reader and make it possible to turn the page by clicking a remote that you hold in your hand. This is obviously great for anyone with motor control issues, arthritis, or any disability that makes manipulating a screen difficult, but honestly, they can be pretty useful even if you don't experience anything of the sort. With a Bluetooth remote like the adorable Boox Tappy ($30), you can keep your hands under the blanket while you read with the e-reader propped in your lap, or enjoy a snack without worrying about getting Cheeto dust all over your touchscreen. My first reaction when testing one out was "this seems cute but unnecessary," but after a few reading sessions, I found it let me read more comfortably, no matter how I was sitting or what else I was doing.

Now for the bad news: Kindle devices don't support Bluetooth remotes. The list of compatible devices includes, well, basically any other kind of e-reader, whether one that runs on Android (like a Boox Go 6) or a Kobo like the Clara Colour (all Kobo devices support Bluetooth accessories). If your giftee has a Kindle, you'll need to get a radio frequency remote that turns pages by physically tapping the screen for you.

BOOX Tappy Bluetooth Remoter Wireless Page Turner $29.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $29.99 at Amazon

A pillow stand that doubles as a snack bowl: The SupeDesk Tablet Pillow Stand

If you have a Bluetooth page turner, it only makes sense to pair it with a hands-free stand that will allow you to position your e-reader where you can use it most comfortably without having to physically hold it (that's for chumps!). Though you can get a utilitarian stand with a flexible neck, I kinda dig this $45 fuzzy pillow design that doubles as a bowl for your reading snacks. It's adjustable, so it can hold most any size e-reader or tablet.

SupeDesk Tablet Pillow Stand with Snack Bowl $44.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $44.99 at Amazon

A strap to make long reading sessions more comfortable: The Strapsicle

E-readers are generally pretty light, but holding anything for a long time can make your hands tired (and yes, I do occasionally get exercise and lift things that weigh more than my iPhone). You can extend your reading sessions with a strap that attaches to the edges of your device across the back so it will remain firmly in your grip without you actually needing to grip it at all. I've personally tested and can vouch for the Strapsicle ($20), available in sizes that will fit select Kindle and Kobo models, but you can also try this cheap, more universal alternative.

Strapsicle Hand Straps for Kindle Paperwhite & Kobo Aura H2O - Black $19.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $19.99 at Amazon

An easily personalized case: CoBak Clear Plastic Case With Magnetic Ring

There are a ton of different patterned e-reader cases out there, but it can be tricky to pick one that your giftee will appreciate enough to happily carry it around every day. Instead, get them a clear case with a magnetic ring like this seven-inch-compatible one from CoBak. They'll be able to easily customize it by putting stickers underneath, and the MagSafe-esque ring will allow them to attach the PopSocket kick-out grip ($14) you've also thoughtfully gifted them. (Those also come in countless colors and patterns—I guess you're just going to need to take a risk at some point.)

CoBak Magnetic Clear Case for 7-Inch E-Reader $15.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $15.99 at Amazon PopSockets MagSafe Grip $14.00 at Amazon $34.99 Save $20.99 Shop Now Shop Now $14.00 at Amazon $34.99 Save $20.99 SEE -1 MORE

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